USPS is helping children all over the country receive letters from Santa.

Armed with a toy given to him by his mother, Santa sat on the boy's bed in the Intensive Care Unit.

He mustered the courage to speak, and said, "Say, what's this I hear you're gonna miss Christmas? There's no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you're my number one Elf!"

The boy, frail and fading fast, used what remaining energy he had to open his present and smiled. And then, the boy whispered.

"They say I'm gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where I'm going?"

Schmitt-Matzen thought for a moment, and then instructed the small boy to tell them he's the number one elf, and "they'll let him in."

The boy drew his final breath, and passed away right there in Santa's arm.

His mom rushed in, and scooped his tiny body up in her arms.

Santa left. His work was done.

He retreated back to his car to make the drive home, wiping away tears with each passing mile.

Anyone in Schmitt-Matzen's position would understand why he might retire his red velvet suit after so many years. In fact, he wrestled with the idea for weeks.

But then, The News Sentinel reports, he knew he had one more appointment to make as the big guy.Buoyed by the laughter of children and hearing their hopes and dreams, Schmitt-Matzen says he is sticking with it, delivering compassion, love and yes, bravery, with each child he sees.

"It brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play," Schmitt-Matzen said.